Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I'd give it a hundred stars if I could. Based on the true story of the top sniper in the Soviet army (note: the story is not political or pro-communist; it focuses on the human story), a young woman recruited very young because so talented. Mostly in Russian with English subtitles (a few parts in American English, too), but you quickly forget that as the movie is just SO GRIPPING. The actress who plays the lead is very powerful, manages to capture the single-minded strength, depth, and feminine vulnerability of her character in a highly unusual way that puts American Hollywood actresses to shame. She is a killer, but she is also a feminine woman who loves, loses, grieves, and desires, and is loved by the men around her, while ruthlessly putting enemy after enemy in the grave. You simultaneously feel for her and want to protect her - but also never want to be in her sights. Also beautifully filmed with an excellent supporting cast, realistic about the brutality of war but without losing the humanity of the characters involved. I've never seen a movie quite like it, maybe The Pianist and A Woman in Berlin manage to capture the beauty and pain of a unique individual caught up in war, but this movie is just so unusual due to the nature of the story and perspective not usually seen in the US. Highly recommended.